Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)


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At a glance

Names

Latin (scientific) name: Betula alleghaniensis

Common English name:Yellow Birch

Other names: Swamp Birch

French name:  Bouleau jaune

Type

deciduous tree icon

Deciduous

Plant Hardiness Zone

3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b

Status

species native to Canada

Native

Size at Maturity

Can grow up to 18-23 meters.

Life Expectancy

Long lived for a Birch

Where it grows

Plant Hardiness Zone

3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b

Habitat

Grows best in cool areas with plenty of precipitation.

Preferred Soil Type

Distribution Across Canada

Yellow birch is found on the east coast of North America.

What it looks like

At Maturity

deciduous tree icon

Large tree, pyramidal in shape.

Bark

Young bark is yellowish, and shreds, matures to reddish brown, in plates

Leaf

deciduous tree icon

Alterate spearhead shaped with narrow toothed edges 3-5″ long

Bud

deciduous tree icon

Flowers

The catkins 1 1/2″ long.

Other

deciduous tree icon

The Yellow Birch is the official arboreal emblem of Quebec. Oil of Wintergreen can be distilled from the trees bark.

What affects it

Pests

Common diseases

Values and Uses

Edible fruit/nut tree?

No

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